time for my first filter?

[jarrette]

I've been running my 75gl tank with no filter for about 4 years with no problems. All I run two power heads, a bakpak protein skimmer, and about 90lbs of live rock. Water tests come out clean, etc. I do a 10gl water change every month until recently since I injured my ankle pretty bad to the point where I can't walk at all. So I haven't actually changed my water for about 60 days.

I always run a really light load in my tank. For a while I only had an Oscellaris and a Yellow Tang. Recently I added an adult Copper Banded to control a few Aptasia that had sprung up. My yellow tang started to get these red spots near the top of his body, which from what I've seen on the web is probably some sort of bacterial infection from poor water quality. As of yesterday, he is gone. I am sure he has died and been digested by my cleaner crew.

I have come to the conclusion that I may want to get my first ever salt water filter as a buffer for situations just like this. Money is a factor for me right now. I did run across this filter the other day which seems decent and will fit in my price range....

http://www.petsolutions.com/Marineland-Multi-Stage-Canister-Filters+I47450490+C19.aspx

How often will I be changing my media on this? Is it a good choice for my tank? Will a filter show a noticeable change in my tank water quality?

[jc]

I'm not sure a filter will make much of a difference. There are a lot of people who don't use a canister or HOB filter on their tanks. Are you sure it was a bacterial infection?

[jarrette]

I'm not really sure, I just saw some small red dots right below his top fin right before he disappeared. I know when I introduced this copper banded, they were fighting with each other pretty bad, but they seemed to get over it after the first couple of days. Maybe it was the stress of the fighting? I'm going to try and get my wife to change the water for me today (should be fun). And I'll test the water soon as well.

[justahobby]

Hi, I enjoyed your website. My HOB is useful for water clarity and removing debris and algae. It doesn't do much in the ways of water purity.

[chark]

With a canister filter you will have to worry about your nitrate levels. What is you nitrate level. Most people use protein skimmers and water changes.

[Morena_Model]

do you have a sump??

[jarrette]

do you have a sump??

no, I don't, and I've never really understood what they are exactly, to be honest. It's just something I've been ignorant on for a long time.

[tony]

i would just get a bigger/better hob skimmer

the bakpak is too small for that tank IMO